With their eye-catching patterns and pleasant natures, corn snakes make engaging pets and revel in widespread reputation. A kind of North American rat snake, the corn snake kills its prey utilizing constriction and, unsurprisingly, feasts on small rodents in addition to birds, lizards, and the occasional bat.
What is an Okeetee Corn Snake?
As a base morph, the Okeetee corn snake happens naturally however range based on locality and breeding. Easy to maintain and breed in captivity, the Okeetee is a superb contender for the most effective designer snake and, whereas most descend from snakes present in a particular locality, others have been bred from traditional corn snakes, creating but extra variations in coloration and sample.
Okeetee Color Lines
The vast number of Okeetee morphs signifies that collectors are at all times looking out for a brand new designer sample, be it a paler reverse Okeetee with its yellow physique and white-bordered pink dorsal saddle marks, or the curiously scaleless Abbotts Okeetee with its cappuccino-colored physique and chocolate hued markings.
While biologically no completely different from a traditional corn snake, the Okeetee’s vibrant colours and daring patterns make it straightforward to differentiate. Whether the morph has opted for a base coat of brilliant yellow or orange and black, pink, or chocolate brown saddle marks, they’re usually brighter than their corn snake cousins.
As completely different morphs are bred, nonetheless, so the saddle marks have morphed with them, and a few Okeetees, just like the Okeetee Tessera, have stripes moderately than blotches and diamond-shaped patterns alongside the edges. Most Okeetees, nonetheless, have the traditional saddle marks with jet-black borders a lot wider than the black bands seen on regular variants.
How Long Can Okeetee Corn Snake Grow?
Like the traditional corn snake, a mature Okeetee measure between 61 and 182cm and makes use of its entire physique to constrict and suffocate its prey. Often mistaken within the wild for the venomous copperhead, the corn snake lacks any practical venom and is a farmer’s greatest pal, killing and consuming wild rodents that trigger havoc with crops and unfold illness. Unlike the copperhead, the Okeetee lacks heat-sensing pits and can be distinguished by its slim physique, brilliant colours, and spherical pupils.
How Heavy Can They Become
A mature Okeetee measuring 5 toes (152cm) in size often weighs round 500 to 750g, making them surprisingly gentle and due to this fact simpler for smaller adults and youngsters to deal with. Compared to a five-foot ball python which weighs over 2kg, the Okeetee is a veritable featherweight!
Average Okeetee Corn Snake Lifespan
While wild Okeetee corn snakes often solely to reside to round six or eight years outdated, in captivity these stunning creatures often reside to twenty years outdated and even older, that means house owners have loads of time to develop and keep a cheerful human-snake relationship. In truth, the oldest corn snake recorded lived to only over 32 years outdated in captivity.
If you’re pondering of shopping for an Okeetee, you must assume long run and be sure you’ll be capable to accommodate the snake and its wants for the following 20 years or extra. Without predators threatening it and given the right care, your relationship with an Okeetee corn snake might simply be one of many longest of your life.
Okeetee Corn Snake Origins
The corn snake is believed to have gained its title because of its choice for cornfields and the mice and different rodents discovered there. Others recommend that the title comes from the checkered sample of the scales on its stomach which resemble corn kernels. The Latin title, Pantherophis Guttatus, then again, refers to each its habits and its look.
Panther attracts a correlation between this nocturnal, noticed snake and the notoriously efficient felid hunter, the Panthera onca, or jaguar because it’s extra generally recognized. Guttatus additionally means noticed in Latin so, referring to the Okeetee’s brilliant pink saddle marks.
Where Can They Be Found?
Corn snakes are present in southeastern areas of the US, from New Jersey by Florida and into Louisiana. The first Okeetee corn snakes have been captured in Jasper County, South Carolina, and have been named after the Okeetee Hunt Club, whose members first found them. This locality presents Okeetee corn snakes the best atmosphere, with its proliferation of Flatwoods interspersed with grassland areas.
Their Habitat
Okeetee corn snakes are primarily nocturnal and are often lively round nightfall and early night. They hunt in forests, climbing bushes with ease, and overgrown fields, however are additionally comfortable to enter deserted buildings and take advantage of the shelter it gives throughout cooler climate. In cooler areas, these snakes will hibernate in the course of the chilly winter months however in hotter climes, they continue to be lively all 12 months spherical, though they have an inclination to hunt and eat much less frequently throughout chilly durations.
Like most snakes, the Okeetee doesn’t eat each day and often hunts solely each three to 4 days. Although it’ll first chunk its sufferer, its true energy comes from its our bodies, which is coiled across the prey, holding them in a lethal grip. It has been a long-held perception that constrictors suffocate their prey, however more moderen analysis signifies that the sufferer suffers circulatory arrest, the loss of life grip inflicting their blood strain to plummet and potassium ranges to soar. Once the sufferer is subdued, the Okeetee corn snake swallows it entire, headfirst, not essentially ready for it to die be.
Although Okeetee corn snakes are helpful within the wild, controlling rodent populations and the ailments they unfold, they’re listed as a Species of Special Concern in Florida, because of the destruction of their habitat within the decrease Florida keys area and since they’re usually mistaken for the venomous copperhead and killed.
Types of Okeetee Corn Snake Morphs
The vary and variation of Okeetees are virtually infinite, however that doesn’t forestall some morphs from having fun with better reputation than others. Some of essentially the most modern and probably engaging morphs are:
| Name | Description |
| Kathy Love Okeetee Corn Snake | Selectively bred from the unique Jasper County Okeetees, these snakes sport a traditional look with black-bordered pink saddle marks on a primarily orange background. |
| Abbotts Okeetee Corn Snake: | These come each in scaled and scaleless varieties and have a tendency to have extra saddle marks than the Kathy Love morph |
| Extreme Okeetee Corn Snake | With thick black bands round their saddles, most Extreme morphs have black saddles in the direction of their tails because the bands take over and obliterate the middle. |
| Okeetee Tessera Corn Snake | Tessera means mosaic and refers back to the pixelated sample of those morphs which often have a dorsal stripe and diamond-shaped patterns alongside the edges |
| Reverse Okeetee Corn Snake | These pale morphs are often white or pale yellow with pink saddle marks and white banding. |
| Hypo Okeetee Corn Snake | These snakes have a recessive trait referred to as hypomelanosis that makes their colours much more vivid however removes many of the black pigmentation. |
| Buckskin Okeetee Corn Snakes | With a tan physique moderately than an orange one, these snakes usually have darker coloured saddles, with some showing utterly black. |
Unsurprisingly, getting maintain of a few of these much less widespread however extremely sought-after morphs could be fairly difficult and people of you not ready for a protracted search ought to most likely accept a daily albino corn snake, for instance, that are available on-line and in pet outlets.
The following morphs are solely bred and bought by a couple of eager herpetologists so aren’t at all times out there. A profitable search, nonetheless, is extraordinarily rewarding. Reputable breeders are additionally conscientious about their gross sales and infrequently supply recommendation and help after the sale.
a) Kathy Love Okeetee
Kathy and Bill Love began breeding 40 years in the past and have specialised in selective breeding to create distinctive coloration and sample morphs. Among the primary to seize and breed Okeetee corn snakes, they proceed to provide engaging, vibrantly coloured morphs that enchantment to collectors and breeders everywhere in the world. The Kathy Love Okeetee has the traditional Okeetee coloring with brilliant pink saddle marks and characteristically vast black banding.
b) Abbotts Okeetee
Originally bred from the Kathy Love Okeetee, the Abbotts Okeetee corn snakes have clear saddle form and clear patterns. Named after their breeder, Dr. Lee Abbott, the Abbotts Okeetee these snakes are available a wide range of coloration combos, with the black borders complementing the spectrum of browns, yellows, reds, and oranges.
c) Caramel Okeetee
Late herpetologist Rich Zuchowski performed a big half in growing this explicit morph by specializing in hypomelanistic specimens. By breeding snakes that partially lacked melanin, Zuchowski was capable of scale back the orange, pink and black colorations to create a extra subtly coloured morph with a better predominance of yellow.
d) Extreme Okeetee
Characterized by their vast black banding, some Extreme Okeetees haven’t any saddles in any respect. The broad black bands have eclipsed the brightly coloured saddles of the usual Okeetee, particularly in the direction of the tip of the tail, giving them a extra variegated look.
- The Extreme Okeetee Tessera is a barely completely different morph with distinctive dorsal stripes changing the saddles. With colours starting from black to blood pink, brilliant orange to delicate yellows and lotions, the Extreme Okeetee Tessera is undeniably eye-catching.
- The Extreme Reverse Okeetee Tessera morph loses nothing in changing black with white and often sports activities a mixture of pale pinks and oranges.
e) Hypo Okeetee
This morph is just like the Extreme Reverse Okeetee Tessera insofar because it has just about no black in its sample in any respect. This is as a result of the hypogene removes that pigment, giving it brighter and lighter colours as a substitute. Again, this morph reveals extra pale shades of pink, yellow, orange interspersed with the occasional splash of blood pink.
f) Okeetee Lava
As its title suggests, the Okeetee Lava morph has the red-hot colours of molten rock, with burnt reds and smoldering oranges melting collectively to create a particular sample. Although the saddle marks are nonetheless current, few Okeetee Lava morphs have black borders round them, making them much less distinctive and permitting them to merge into the orange background.
g) Okeetee Motley
A motley crew is one thing you wish to avoid, however a motley Okeetee is a lovely morph. Inverted recognizing signifies that the saddle marks of this morph are lighter than the background, due to this fact giving it a special, extra disparate sample.
h) Okeetee Tessera Corn Snake
Unlike different Okeetee corn snakes, the Tessera has a dorsal stripe versus dorsal saddle marks and its saddles have shifted from the again to the edges the place they’re damaged as much as create a pixelated sample. Strikingly stunning, these uncommon morphs have one of many hottest patterns round however they’re not straightforward to search out.
i) Reverse Okeetee Corn Snake
Like the Extreme Reverse Okeetee Tessera morph, the Reverse Okeetee replaces black banding with white. This morph is created by breeding an amelanistic corn snake with an Okeetee. As the amelanistic trait means a scarcity of pigmentation, the black utterly disappears and the Reverse Okeetee as a substitute shows an array of paler hues, predominantly pink, orange, and yellow.
j) Buckskin Okeetee Corn Snake
With pink saddles on a tan background, the Buckskin Okeetee is a a lot darker morph that extra intently resembles the usual Okeetee. Some Buckskin morphs are so darkish, their saddles seem black moderately than brick pink whereas others keep a extra orangey background coloration.
ok) Scaleless Okeetee
These morphs are available a wide range of colours and aren’t strictly scaleless, as all retain their stomach or ventral scales. Although widespread as pets, scaleless snakes are a comparatively new discover, with the primary wild scaleless snake found in 1942. These morphs haven’t any dermal layer of scales and far thinner keratin layer, however this doesn’t seem to have an effect on their lifespan nor their capability to hunt.
The first scaleless Okeetee was bred from one other sort of rat snake so, technically, any scaleless Okeetee is a hybrid.
- Scaleless Reverse Okeetee bears a powerful resemblance to the reverse Okeetee, apart from its lack of scales. Delicate shades of pinks and lotions make this a reasonably snake whereas its restricted keratin makes it enticingly uncommon.
- Scaleless Abbotts Okeetee morph is without doubt one of the most tasty and sought-after with its hanging markings and weird pores and skin texture. They’re uncommon, although, which suggests they’re additionally one of many pricier morphs round.
l) Ultramel Okeetee
You’d be forgiven for pondering that the custard yellows of this morph earnt it its title however, ultramel is a portmanteau made up of the phrases extremely and amel, with the latter being an abbreviation of amelanism. Ultramel Okeetees are recognized for his or her purplish bands and yellow backgrounds.
How to Get Okeetee Corn Snake Morphs Mentioned Above
You have two choices relating to securing an unusually patterned Okeetee morph – breed one or purchase one. Breeding could be difficult, nonetheless, and attempting to foretell the exact colours and patterns of the offspring is especially troublesome except you’ve got a fundamental understanding of genetics. There are additionally some wonderful instruments out there on-line that may enable you to predict the looks of your younger snakes.
How to Breed Okeetee Corn Snakes
Dominant genes carried by both of the breeding pair might be handed onto the offspring even when just one dad or mum carries the gene. With recessive genes, issues are a bit of completely different, and each components should carry these genes in the event that they’re to be efficiently transferred to the offspring. When breeding uncommon Okeetee morphs, the genes controlling chromatophore growth are an important as they affect each coloration and sample.
To get a uncommon Okeetee morph, it’s best to breed two Okeetees, though some herpetologists have efficiently breed Okeetees with different corn snakes, the outcomes usually are not pure Okeetee, however moderately a hybrid.
Breeding Combinations to get Okeetee Morphs
Okeetees are comparatively straightforward to maintain and to breed, making them perfect for novices, though it’s essential that you just accurately intercourse your snakes beforehand to keep away from years of frustration and disappointment! Okeetee corn snakes usually are not notably sociable, nonetheless, so if you’re planning on breeding, you’ll want to make sure you have two terrariums or cages. Of course, you possibly can put your snakes collectively to breed, however for essentially the most half, they like their very own area.
Although a cooling, or brumation, interval isn’t important, it does supply the most effective circumstances for breeding and herpetologists have had essentially the most profitable hatching after a brumation interval of between 60 and 75 days, the place the temperature is stored at a constant 45 to 650F.
In the wild, Okeetees will, like different corn snakes, breed in spring and, in the course of the first days of summer season, lay their eggs in a heat place the place the warmth and humidity will guarantee profitable incubation. In captivity, after all, you possibly can create your personal spring just by manipulating the photoperiod though it’s essential to verify all of your Okeetees expertise the identical, so they’re all prepared to breed on the identical time.
After the hibernation interval, the Okeetees will often shed which is indicative of them being prepared to start out breeding, though specialists may even observe a change within the feminine’s physiology, primarily a rise within the width of the underside half of their our bodies, that implies ovulation is in course of.
A pregnant or gravid feminine Okeetee has a severe urge for food for the primary three to 5 weeks after mating, after which the dimensions of the eggs makes consuming and defecating uncomfortable. As the prenatal shed will get underway, most females cease consuming altogether, as most males do at some stage in the breeding season. Once that course of is full, its time to create an appropriate nesting place utilizing a field crammed with a substrate like sphagnum moss or scrunched up paper towels.
Okeetee eggs are fairly hardy and can usually hatch, even when a number of the eggs die and decay. A humid, humid atmosphere is crucial for incubation and essentially the most sturdy kids appear to favor temperatures of between 80 to 850F.
Okeetee Corn Snake Price for Morphs talked about Above
Although costlier than a traditional corn snake, the extra widespread Okeetee morphs aren’t notably pricy and you must be capable to decide one up for round $50. Less widespread morphs, just like the Extreme Reverse Okeetee Tessera, for instance, might set you again practically $300! They’re additionally not notably straightforward to search out.
Even giant on-line snake shops like MorphMarket have solely a handful of Okeetees so sourcing them is a problem. Below is a desk of what you possibly can count on to pay for every of the morphs mentioned right here, though costs do range from breeder to breeder. Buying from a good breeder is one of the simplest ways of making certain you get the morph you’re searching for.
| Morph | Price |
| Kathy Love Okeetee | $35-$100 |
| Abbott’s Okeetee | $45-$75 |
| Caramel Okeetee | $45-$75 |
| Extreme Okeetee | $75-$100 |
| Extreme Okeetee Tessera | $85-$200 |
| Extreme Reverse Okeetee Tessera | $85-$250 |
| Hypo Okeetee | $75-$100 |
| Okeetee Lava | $50- |
| Okeetee Motley | $75-$100 |
| Okeetee Tessera | $100- |
| Reverse Okeetee | $125 |
| Buckskin Okeetee | $50 |
| Scaleless Okeetee | $200-$650 |
| Ultramel Okeetee | $100-$150 |
Conclusion
With their pleasant natures, beautiful patterns, and vibrant colours, it’s little surprise Okeetee Corn Snakes are widespread pets. Relatively straightforward to maintain on a weight-reduction plan of pre-killed or reside rodents, the Okeetee can also be fairly hardy and doesn’t require particular lighting, offered there’s ample pure gentle.
Although younger Okeetees could be each defensive and nervous when first moved to a brand new atmosphere, after a couple of weeks, they quickly calm down and develop into accustomed to dealing with, though it’s essential to make sure they’re consuming correctly earlier than you begin the taming course of.
Breeding particular or uncommon morphs generally is a prolonged technique of trial and error, the satisfaction in creating your personal colours and patterns is simple and, with so many various potential morphs and tessellations, you may get actually inventive along with your breeding.
A younger Okeetee corn snake prices as little as $50 and an appropriate terrarium rather less than that, so you may get began with out breaking the financial institution. Those desirous to put money into one thing a bit of extra distinctive, like a scaleless Abbotts Okeetee, for instance, may have to dip into their financial savings, nonetheless, as costs can ascend to over $600 for a single specimen however it’s value it if you’d like a designer snake.